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Puerperal Pyrexia. Twelve cases were notified in 1958,
compared with twenty three cases in 1957, Puerperal Pyrexia is
"any febrile condition occurring in a woman, In whom a temperature
of 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Centigrade) or more has occurred within
fourteen days after childbirth or miscarriage".
The early notification of Puerperal Pyrexia is of primary
importance in the prevention of maternal mortality. Medical
practitioners should make the fullest use of the consultant,
bacteriological and hospital services and ensure the isolation of
any suspected infection occurring in a maternity or nursing home.
Tetanus. A scheme for the immunisation of children against
Tetanus on request by parents Is in operation. The Tetanus
bacillus is present in horse manure and in manured land. Infection
enters the body through contaminated wounds and abrasions which ma;
be so slight as to escape notice. The object of immunisation is
to prepare the tissues in advance to resist the Tetanus bacillus.
All who work in agriculture or in stables should be immunised.
Children are prone to abrasions and should be protected from the
Incidental risk of infection., At present it is a routine to inject
anti-tetanic serum after wounds. This serum occasionally causes
undesirable allergic reactions and its use can be avoided by
precautionary immunisation with toxoid before injury. immunlsatloin
requires three injections at. monthly intervals. These can be
combined with immunisation against Diphtheria and Whooping Cough.
Immunisation must be sustained by reinforcement injection at the
end of one year and thereafter at intervals not exceeding five
years. A record of the dates of injection should always be
carried on the person. During 1958 one hundred and ninety three
children received primary injections.
Food Poisoning, Three cases were notified in 1958, compared
with four cases in 1957, One was an adult and two were children.
One case was due to Staphylococcal infection acquired outside the
Borough, Two were caused by Salmonella Typhimurium. The sources
of infection were obscure.
The low incidence of infections due to Salmonellae and
Staphylococci in food is satisfactory. Prevention of infection
depends on scrupulous cleanliness in the production, storage,
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